Can I Deduct That? The Answer Is: It Depends.

Human raining their hand to ask a question

From cell phones and home offices to meals and mileage, one of the most frequently asked questions is, "Can I write this off?"

The general rule is that a business expense must be both ordinary and necessary for your trade or business. Just because something is helpful doesn't automatically make it deductible.

Before assuming an expense qualifies—or missing out on a legitimate deduction—it's worth asking your tax professional. A quick question today can save you money and headaches later.